Dedicated councillor ‘put community first’
TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘positive, principled, integral’ figure of the community after Labour councillor Andy Harland passed away.
Friends and colleagues said he had made an ‘immeasurable’ contribution to the Openshaw and Clayton areas in which he was born and bred and that his death, after a short illness, had come as a shock both to party and his constituents.
Coun Harland was first elected to Manchester council 21 years ago, but had already been an active trade unionist for decades beforehand.
His agent and friend Jacob Mason said the dad-of-two – an ardent City fan – would be remembered for his energy and ability to rally others. Describing him as ‘an integral part’ of the Clayton community, Jacob added: “When I used to go out campaigning with him it was hard to walk down the street without someone stopping him and having a chat. He was very embedded in the community.
“He always had a smile on his face. He had a very positive upbeat energy – he was able to mobilise and enthuse people and seemed to give them hope in a way which is something I’ll always remember Andy for.
“He liked a drink – cognac was his favourite tipple. Whenever he had one at the bar he’d say ‘I’ve got to have this, it’s civilised behaviour.’ If there was biography of him, that would be its title.”
Originally a bin man at Openshaw’s Victoria Street depot during the 1970s, Coun Harland quickly became involved in trade unionism. He continued to fight for the rights of workers throughout his career on the council, becoming a senior official within the union Community in the 1990s.
“His views never changed,” added Jacob.
“He was always very principled and stuck to his guns. He always thought about the working class person, really, and their working conditions as well.”
Coun Harland, 59, leaves a wife, Claudette, and two children, Nina Simone and Emmet.
Senior Manchester councillor Pat Karney said his colleague would be deeply missed by the entire Labour group.
Coun Karney added: “He was a working class community lad representing the area he grew up in and his contribution to the council and to the local Clayton community was just immeasurable.”